Albania Highlights EU Progress, International Engagement and New Development Initiatives
Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a photo album highlighting the week’s key events. First, he attended the Coalition of the Willing Summit on Ukraine in Paris at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. He also joined France’s National Day ceremony and reaffirmed Albania’s strong partnership with its Euro-Atlantic allies. …
The United States Helped Build SPAK. Now SPAK Must Do Its Job
Tirana Times, July 18, 2026 – For years, the U.S. and the EU invested significant political capital, funding, and diplomatic pressure into helping Albania build one of the most ambitious anti-corruption institutions in the Balkans: the Special Anti-Corruption Structure, known as SPAK. SPAK was created to do what previous institutions …
European Commission: Albania Advances Judicial Reform, but Challenges Remain
The European Commission says Albania continued to implement judicial reform and the Cross-Sector Justice Strategy throughout 2026. First, Albania completed the vetting process for all judges and prosecutors after authorities finalized the appeals phase. Consequently, the process further strengthened judicial independence, accountability, and integrity across the justice system. In addition, …
Rama: Tourism and Foreign Investments Bring €8.5 Billion into Albania’s Economy
Prime Minister Edi Rama said tourism and foreign investments currently bring €8.5 billion into Albania’s economy. Speaking at an event promoting the national program “Double Your Business,” Rama highlighted the growth of tourism and its impact on economic development. According to him, tourists now fill the streets of Tirana in …
Art Park Opens in Kinostudio, Creating a New Cultural Hub in Tirana
A new space dedicated to art, culture, and community has become part of Tirana’s urban landscape. The Art Park in Kinostudio has transformed the former film studio area into a new meeting point for residents, artists, and visitors. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media showing large numbers …
Korça ensemble represents Albania at World Cultures Festival in France
TIRANA, July 17 – The Artistic Ensemble “Skanderbeg” from Korça represented Albania at the 59th edition of the International “Festival des Cultures du Monde” in Chambéry, France. The festival brought together folklore and cultural groups from different parts of the world. The Albanian ensemble presented traditional costumes, music and dances, …
Minister of Economy and Innovation presents support scheme for small and medium businesses
TIRANA, July 17 – Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj presented the sovereign scheme “Double your business”, which aims to help Albanian companies access financing and increase investment, productivity and competitiveness in European markets. Ibrahimaj said the initiative responds to the real needs of businesses and supports the development …
Small and medium businesses to receive financing of up to ALL 250 million
TIRANA, July 17 – The Albanian government has launched the national program “Double Your Enterprise” to support small and medium-sized businesses through financing opportunities that aim to increase investment, employment and economic development. At the program’s presentation, Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko said the institution had worked for a …
Kosova parliament session expected in early August
TIRANA, July 17 – Kosova’s acting President Albulena Haxhiu said the constitutive session of the country’s parliament will take place in early August. She explained that the constitutional deadline expires on August 7. Haxhiu added that the Constitution gives the president 30 days to call the session. Meanwhile, she said …
Albania advances EU integration process as enlargement gains momentum
TIRANA, July 17 – European Union Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said Albania has effectively started closing negotiation chapters for the first time in its accession process, as the bloc prepares for a new phase of enlargement. Speaking at the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels, Kos said EU enlargement …
President Bajram Begaj expressed his deep sorrow after a tragic fire in Domë village, Shkodër, killed a mother and her two children. Begaj shared his condolences with the victims’ relatives and offered his support to the family during this difficult time. “I feel deeply saddened by the tragedy in Domë …
Albania and Vietnam have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on employment cooperation, creating a framework for recruiting and employing Vietnamese workers in Albania. Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj and Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Public Security Vũ Chiến Thắng signed the agreement during a ceremony held in Vietnam, with representatives …
Prek Cali, a prominent figure of Albania’s national movement and leader of the Kelmendi highlanders, was born on July 29, 1878, in Mali i Jushit, Shkodër. Cali played an important role in Albania’s history during the early 20th century. He fought against the Ottoman Empire between 1908 and 1912 and …
Tirana, July 29 – The US Dollar strengthened further against the Albanian Lek (ALL) on Wednesday. The official exchange rate from the Bank of Albania showed the Dollar at 82.43 ALL. The currency gained 0.22 ALL compared with Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Euro lost 0.03 ALL and reached 93.66 ALL. The …
Tirana, July 29 – Dinamo City will host Aluminij on Thursday in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round. The Albanian side will seek a place in the third qualifying round after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Slovenia. Head coach Ilir Daja will …
Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted to a report by the Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA), which found that the opposition received more media coverage than the Socialist Party in major news broadcasts during June 2026. Rama said the findings provide clear and measurable evidence that Albania has no connection to autocratic …
Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari met with Albania’s 12 regional prefects to discuss key priorities for the months ahead. The participants focused on strengthening interinstitutional coordination and increasing the presence of public institutions in local communities. Lamallari identified public safety, the smooth running of the tourism season, and the prevention and …
Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the institutions’ initial suspicion following the discovery of human remains in the village of Kalludër, Zubin Potok, was that they could belong to the 23 intellectuals from Mitrovica who were abducted and forcibly disappeared on 19 April 1999. Speaking to the media, Kurti said …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”8fc28679-8a5a-44b2-b5a1-57dd0902d361″ data-turn-id-container=”8fc28679-8a5a-44b2-b5a1-57dd0902d361″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-5″ data-turn=”user”> Albania’s Democratic Party (PD) has officially challenged before the Constitutional Court the law ratifying the €302 million loan agreement between Albania and the United States for the purchase of military equipment. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, PD Parliamentary Group …
Prime Minister Edi Rama gave a television interview from Tirana to the British broadcaster Channel 4, where he was also questioned about the ongoing protests. In response, Rama said he has reflected on the demonstrations and understands the protesters. “I have reflected a great deal on these protests and have come …